Needles (Sharps) Disposal

Needles (Sharps) Ban

Beginning September 1, 2008, State law (Section 118286 of the California Health and Safety Code) prohibits the disposal of home generated sharps in the garbage.

By definition, “Home-generated sharps waste” means hypodermic needles, pen needles, intravenous needles, lancets, and other devices that are used to penetrate the skin for the delivery of medications derived from a household, including a multi-family residence or household.

Proper disposal of “sharps” (needles, syringes, and lancets) will help prevent potential health risks to children and family members, home health care providers, sanitation workers, and pets. Do not put any sharps in curbside trash, recycling carts, commercial collection containers at business, or large roll-off dumpsters used for trash, demolition material or recycling.